Wire-stretcher.



A. C. BRYANT.

WIRE STRETCHER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-8.1917.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

Elma

QLDEN C. BRYHNT FFTQE.

ALDEN C. BRYANT, OF PONOKA, ALBERTA, CANADA.

WIBE-STRETCHER.

Application filed February 8, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALDEN C. BRYANT, a subject of the King of England, residing at Ponoka, in the Province of Alberta and Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire- Stretchers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improved wire stretcher and has for its primary object to provide a very simple, easily operated, and efficient device for stretching fence wires.

It is another object of my invention to provide a device for the above purpose embodying a suitable frame provided with means for mounting the same upon a fence post, a wire stretching means mounted in the frame including a movable stretcher bar, and manually operable means held longitudinally in the frame and cooperating with the bar to move the latter and stretch the fence wire across the post to which the wire is to be stapled.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a wire stretcher which is exceedingly strong and durable in its construction, consists of relatively few, simply constructed elements, and may be manufactured at comparatively small cost.

lVith the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my improved wire stretcher mounted upon a fence post;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the positions of the parts after the wire has been stretched, one end of the stretcher being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line H of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the wire stretching member.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 and 6 designate the spaced, parallel, upper longitudinal frame bars, and 7 and 8 the lower pair of longitudinal frame bars. The frame bar 8 is provided upon its upper face with rack teeth 9. The frame bars in each pair Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

Serial No. 147,436.

are connected at their opposite ends to each other by the metal plates or straps 10. The upper pair of bars 5 and 6 are also c011- nectecl to the lower bars 7 and 8 at spaced points by the vertically disposed braces 11, and at the opposite ends of the frame the curved or bowed metal straps 12 connect the upper and lower pairs of frame bars. Obliquely disposed braces 13 also connect the frame bars to the bowed straps 12 at opposite ends of the frame. Thus, a very rigid and substantial frame structure is provided in which the operating mechanism is mounted. The wire stretcher consists of two parallel bars 14 connected together at one of their ends by a rod or bar 15 and at their other ends by a split, metal ring 16. The wire indicated at TV is readily inserted between the spaced ends of this ring and extended longitudinally between the spaced bars 14 of the stretcher member. A pair of crossed, pivotally connected, tong mem-, bers or levers 17 are arranged between the bars of the stretcher, at its rear end, and short chains or other flexible elements 18 connect these lever members to the rod or bar 15. The levers 17 are provided upon their forward ends with curved hooks or other suitable means for engagement with one of the barbs on the wire, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

The lower bar 14 of the stretcher member is provided with the rack teeth 19, and a gear 20 meshes with these rack teeth and with the teeth 9 on the fixed frame bar 8. A locking pawl or dog 21 is loosely mounted at one of its ends upon the axis of the gear 20 to 'co-act with the teeth 9 and prevent reverse rotation of the gear in the operation of the device. A suitable operating crank or handle 22 is connected to one end of the axis of the gear, whereby the same may be rotated upon the rack teeth 9.

Between the bowed metal straps 12 at opposite ends of the frame, spaced, parallel, transversely disposed rollers 23 are arranged, between which the movable stretcher member is adapted to move. These rollers are spaced apart sufliciently to permit the rack teeth 19 to move freely over the lower roller. To the bars let of the stretcher mem her, a vertically disposed rod 24 is secured. This rod is provided on its upper end with a transversely disposed arm 25 to engage over the frame bar 5, and on its lower end with an arm 26 to engage beneath the frame bar 7. Thus, vertical movement of the stretcher bar relative to the frame is prevented.

Upon the top bar 5 of the frame and the lower bar 7, a hook 27 is attached, and in spaced relation to each of the hooks, one end of a chain 28 is attached to the frame bar. The frame is disposed upon one side of the fence post indicated at P, and the chains 28 passed in relatively opposite directions around the post and connected at their free ends to the hooks 27.

In the operation of the device, it'will be understood that after the stretcher frame has been applied to the post as seen in Fig. l, and the end of the wire VV engaged between the clamping levers 17, the operator turns the crank handle 22, thereby rotating the gear 20 and moving the stretcher member longitudinally with respect to the frame, said gear traveling upon the fixed rack 9. The wire is thus gradually tightened or stretched, and as the pull upon the movable stretcher member increases, it is locked against reverse movement by the pawl or dog il engaging the rack teeth 9 each time the crank or handle 22 is released. The wire is thus drawn across the side of the post 1 the ends of the stretcher member moving between the spaced rollers 23 in the ends of the frame, as seen in Fig. 2. The wire can now be securely stapled or otherwise fixed to the post. In this manner, it will be appreciated that fence wires may be easily, quickly and tightly stretched, and the device readily applied in operative position upon the fence post or removed therefrom.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the construction, manner of use, and several advantages of the invention Will be fully understood The device as a whole is eX- ceedingly simple, strong and durable in its construction, and highly efficient and serv iceable for the purpose in View. It is to be understood that the stretcher can be con structed in various sizes and other means than that disclosed in the drawing may be provided for attaching the fence Wire to the movable stretcher member. Various other changes in the form, construction, and arrangement of the several elements may be resorted to, and it will, therefore, be understood that I reserve the privilege of adopting all such legitimate changes as may be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is In a wire stretcher, a frame provided with means for attaching the same to a fence post, a fixed, longitudinally extending rack bar in the frame, a pair of guides mounted in each end of the frame, a stretcher member movable through the guides, means for at taching one end of the fence wire to the stretcher .member, means carried by the stretcher member and co-acting with the frame to prevent vertical movement of the stretcher member, said stretcher member also having a rack thereon, a manually operable gear to travel on the frame rack and co-act with the rack on the stretcher member to shift the stretcher member longitudinally with respect to the frame, and a locking pawl to co-act with the frame rack and hold the gear and the stretcher member against reverse movement.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALDEN C. BRYANT.

.Vitnesses WM. ARNorT, A. PIGEON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, I). G. 

